1917] SOILS — FERTILIZERS. 219 



beneficially In causing the flocculation of clay and in the subsequent conserva- 

 tion of the flocculent or tilth condition, by acting as a light cement holding the 

 soil crumbs together when the capillary water has evaporated, thus favoring 

 the penetration of both water and air, and of the roots themselves. Among the 

 most important chemical effects are, by neutralizing the soil acidity, the main- 

 tenance of fertility is raised ; by maintaining the proper degree of moisture and 

 warmth bacterial life is enhanced, especially that of aitrification, also the de- 

 velopment and activity of root bacteria of legumes and other nitrogen-gathering 

 bacteria ; the rendering available, directly or indirectly, of relatively small per- 

 centages of plant food, notably phosphoric acid and potash." 



The text of the Maryland lime-grinding bill is included. 



The question of lime fertilization, P. Liechti and E. Teunningeb {Landw. 

 Jahrb. Schweiz, SO (1916), No. 5, pp. 480-488, figs. 2).— Experiments on the in- 

 fluence of liming on soil fertility are reported, and the conclusion drawn that 

 more attention should be given to the size of the grains of calcium carbonate 

 ased for fertilizing purposes. It is thought that the use of the finest ground 

 calcium carbonate is not justified in all cases, but that coars? calcium carbonate 

 should be used where experience has shown that the soil fertility is injured by 

 excessive liming or by a liming which is quickly effective. It Is believed that 

 by the use of coarser ground lime a more uniform distribution on the soil can 

 be obtained, and that more can be used without injuring soil fertility. 



Liming the land. — Decomposition and utilization of limestone in soil, 

 J. W. Ames and C. J. Schollenbergek {Mo. Bui. Ohio Sta., 2 {1011), No. 4, pp. 

 121-124). — This is a review of experience at the station, the results of which 

 are thought to " furnish conclusive evidence and emphasize the fact that the 

 larger part of light and moderate applications of ground limestone, when 

 applied to a soil in need of lime and similar to the silt loam at the station, 

 decomposes within a year. Even at the end of five years, 'however, traces 

 remain ; this may be due to the superior resistance of the larger particles 

 contained in the ground limestone. Other experiments have shown that lime- 

 stone screenings (i to i in.) are very slowly decomposed, indicating that they 

 have but slight value unless applied in excessive amounts. 



" The data indicate that although there is a considerable loss of bases when 

 limestone is applied to the soil at any rate, such loss is excessively large when 

 the rate of application greatly exceeds the amount which can be absorbed by 

 the soil. 



" Small or moderate applications frequently repeated would probably pay 

 better in the final analysis than large applications at less frequent intervals." 



The fertilizing value of wastes from the hemp industry, A. Draghetti 

 {Staz. Sper. Agr. Ital., 49 {1916), No. 5-6, pp. S24-3S3).— This is a brief descrip- 

 tion of the hemp treating process and a review of different analyses of the 

 waste liquors and materials from the process. 



[Fertilizers, season 1915-16], B. B. Ross {Ala. Dept. Agr. Bui, 7 {1916), 

 No. 75, pp. 96). — This bulletin reports the results of actual and guaranteed 

 analyses of 466 samples of fertilizers and fertilizing materials offered for sale 

 in Alabama during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1916, together with 

 general information on the classification of fertilizer materials and formulas 

 for home mixtures, the text of the Alabama fertilizer law, and a list of concerns 

 licensed to sell fertilizers in the States during the year. 



Analyses of commercial fertilizers, ground bone, and agricultural lime, 

 C. S. Cathcabt et al. {Neiv Jersey Stas. Bui. SOS {1916), pp. 5-52 ) .—Supple- 

 menting previous work (E. S. R., 36, p. 429), this bulletin contains the results 

 of actual and guaranteed analyses of 283 samples of fertilizers and fertilizing 

 materials, 43 samples of ground bone, and 35 samples of agricultural lime 



